Published By Olukayode Idowu
Some stakeholders in Southern Borno politics have insisted on the need to give opportunities to another of the nine local governments in the senatorial district to present the next Senator.
Since the return to democratic governance in 1999, only Gwoza has presented the three senators elected in the district, with Abubakar Mahdi (199-2003), Omar Hambagda (2003-2011), and Ali Ndume (2011 till date).
The stakeholders, who had purchased the form for expression of interest for the Borno South Senatorial District for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aerokeys Nigeria limited, Kudla Satumari on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), said the time has come for the other eight local government areas of Biu, Askira/Uba, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar, Hawul, Chibok and Bayo to present the next Senator in 2023.
Presenting the forms they had purchased for Satumari to contest on the PDP platform, a chieftain of the PDP in Borno State, Mr Mbirza Gabasa, said Satumari’s aspiration is a big project they will all celebrate.
He said they have been winning but have been denied the seat in the past, adding that: “This time around, it will be a campaign everyone will be eager to join which will be a celebration for all.”
The Chairman, Haske Foundation, Dr Alfred Gadzama, who led others to present the form to Kudla Satumari, said the people are determined that Satumari becomes their Senator in 2023.
He said: “By his grace, another election is by the corner. Let me thank all of you for making the resources available to buy the forms, because you believe in me but it is God that gives power, and we stand by you. We must not sell our destiny. Your destiny is in your hands.”
Responding, Satumari who was presented the form as a 52nd birthday gift, said:
“They said to me enough is enough. You have spent a lot to bring leadership to us, this time around, we will bear the cost of the interest and nomination forms.
“They called me and said they would handover the forms on my birthday. Now that has shown that collectively, our aspiration can be fulfilled.
“During the campaigns in the last election, I went to every settlement in the 9 LGAs.
“We saw a particular place in Shani LGA, after crossing three ponds. They told us their daily morning prayer is that God should wake them up early to be the first to reach the pond before animals, because both human and animals drink water from the same pond,” Satumari said promising to give a purposeful leadership if elected.
“For some, their problem is not water. In some places, school children sit on the ground and use blocks as desks to write.
“When given the opportunity, I will hold this office in trust for the people. I may not have the solutions to all the problems, but I will bring developmental changes to the land.
“We will identify the actual needs of the people. For some, their problem is not class rooms, it’s health centres. Some, don’t have good roads and bridges,” Satumari said, adding that “people are suffering, yet, we have members in the National Assembly that have been there for more than five times.”
He promised that: “We will introduce town hall meetings. I want you guys to hold us accountable.
“We’ve given scholarships to hundreds of students in universities. We have built schools, built Mosques, Churches for the teaching of peace and harmony.”
He however called on his supporters to maintain decent campaign strategy.
“I’ve seen the passion and dedication of everyone of you. If this is the way we are going, I will deliver all your aspiration.”
